Lavender, the eo I use the most.

I'm going to start out with a post about the essential oil I have used the most.  It's included in YL's premium starter kit, but as I quickly learned, the 5mL bottle "starter" is just not enough considering everything you can do with it. 

Lavender.  At first, I wasn't sure I'd like it.  The aroma isn't quite like the lavender smell you find in perfumes and lotions.  However - and I'm sure several people can back me up here - your nose for oil scents changes as you begin to use them.  That doesn't mean you'll like all of them -- I can think of two blends that I don't diffuse or use often for that reason.  But lavender is one I adjusted to quickly and now I really, really like it.

So what's so special about lavender?  Several things, actually.  For starters, it's an essential oil that can be used on both children and adults.  It is one of the few oils that can be used neat (topical application without dilution), but I always dilute mine because I don't want to become sensitized to it.  Sensitization is an allergic reaction to the oil, basically, but something I always keep in mind is that just because an oil is non-sensitizing in the beginning doesn't mean you won't develop a reaction to it later.  And because I like lavender oil, I'd rather not risk breaking out in hives from it. 

Also, when it comes to my boys (ages four and one), I never apply lavender without dilution. (Never use oils neat on children younger than 2.)   

But Larissa, I hear someone saying, aren't you worried that lavender causes breast growth in boys?  Nope.  That claim has been debunked by Robert Tisserand.

Now that that's out of the way, what else is awesome about lavender?  It's calming.  It relieves tension.  It's a pain reliever.  It's really, really excellent for burns, insect bites, and small scrapes and cuts.   In my youth, I was a lifeguard -- a (regrettably) careless teenager who would sometimes skip reapplying sunscreen after a swim -- and I had a spray that I'd use when I got sunburned.  It contained lavender essential oil (and other oils including roman chamomile and geranium) and it was AWESOME.  Immediate relief and fast fading.  I didn't pay attention to the power of essential oils then like I do now, but having experienced great results, I plan on making my own spray this summer. Just in case.

It's also lovely to diffuse when you have sniffly and/or temperamental kiddos.  I've noticed the calming effect.   But if you're a sleep-deprived parent (I feel you.  I so feel you), I can't give any testimony to its aid in your kiddo's sleep.  My youngest is really not a great sleeper, and I won't lie, I tried diffusing it in his room before bedtime and saw no difference in his sleep patterns. 

And now since you know I deal with the occasional bags under my eyes, I'll include this:  lavender is an awesome addition to my daily moisturizer.  I added a few drops to my moisturizer pot.   My skin looks great, and the occasional chin breakouts that I get disappear within a few days.  The redness doesn't linger!  My skin looks healthier!  Lavender, you have me for life.  Which may also be why I recently had to order another bottle. 

So, if you're interested in essential oils, do yourself a favor and make sure you include lavender!  In my opinion, it's the most versatile and helpful oil of the lot!